Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Libertation Day, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end to slavery in the United States. Now a State and Federal Holiday, here are a few ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2023.
Image from Schomburg Center Literary Festival, 2022.Photo credit: APM World/Emmanuel Agbeble, Isseu Diouf Campbell, Bill Farrington and Bob Gore. Above image, ‘2022 The Exonerated Five: An In-Depth Look at their Journey to Justice’ Abiodun Oyewole, a founding member of The Last Poets in conversation with Dr. Yusef Salaam (Exonerated Five) and current candidate running for Harlem City Council.
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will host its 5th Annual Literary Festival on Saturday, June 17th. Traditionally held on Juneteenth weekend, the Schomburg Center Literary Festival is held both outdoors and throughout the historic research library in Harlem, featuring discussions, workshops, and book signings with established and emerging writers across the Black Diaspora.
The Harlem Chamber Players ‘The Ordering of Moses’ at Riverside Church. Image credit: Glenna Freedman PR
Having been on pause since the pandemic, Liz Player (Founding Executive and Artistic Director, Harlem Chamber Players) is pleased to announce the rare NYC performance of Harlem Renaissance composer Nathaniel Dett’s (1882-1943) masterpiece oratorio The Ordering of Moses. During the weekend of Juneteenth, the concert will be presented June17th for one night only at The Riverside Church (490 Riverside Drive). In 1937 The Ordering of Moses was actually cut from the airwaves during a national radio broadcast. It is now believed the network caved to racist complaints from listeners. Produced by Ms. Player and brought back to its original splendor, this epic performance includes a 60- piece orchestra from The Harlem Chamber Players, a 75-member choir composed of members from Chorale Le Chateau, and five Metropolitan Opera soloists.
The production is helmed by conductor, music director and multifaceted artist Damien Sneed and is hosted by WQXR personality Terrance McKnight. The Ordering of Moses is part of the Harlem Renaissance Centennial and is produced in association with The Manhattan School of Music and The Harlem School of the Arts. General admission tickets which have been made affordable are $25 are available online at https://harlemchamberplayers.ticketleap.com/the-ordering-of-moses/ or by calling 212-866-1492. Masks will be required for this performance.
The Harlem Drummers Circle in Marcus Garvey Park, East Harlem
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Libertation Day, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end to slavery in the United States. While some of our City is still under COVID-19 restrictions, our community celebrates in thoughtful walks, marches, online, and virtually. Here are a few ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2021, now an official New York State Holiday, and on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law, making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday!
Image courtesy NYC Parks Department, Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Libertation Day, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end to slavery in the United States. While some of our City is still under COVID-19 restrictions, our community celebrates in thoughtful walks, marches, online, and virtually. Here are a few ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2021, now an official New York State Holiday, and on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law, making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday!